The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-06
FIVE OLD SOLDIERS
Chosen as the Commission to Build ths MoDu-
msnt to Indiana Heroes.
The State Onicers Make Selections From a
Large Number of Names-Sketches
of the AppOintees.

Pursuant to an act OF the General Assem-
ply, approved March 8, 1887, Governor
Gray, Secretary Griffin, Treasurer Lsmcke
and Auditor Carr met yesterday morning
and appointed commissioners for the
Soldiers Monument. After long delibera-
ton over forty or fifty names, the follow
ing named gentlemen were selected:
General Lew Wallace, Charlottesville; Hugh
Dougherty, Bluffton; George ]. Langsdale,
Greencastle; S. b. Voyles, Salem, and Dan
NJ. Ransdell, Indianapolis. OF those
chosen two are Democrats, Mr.. Dougherty
and Mr.. Voyles. All were soldiers for the
Union in the late war.
General Lew Wallace entered the Mexi-
can war, and became Second Lieutenant.
1t was while there that he conceived the
plan of his novel, "The Fair Cod" On his
return home he was elected to the State
Senate by the district in which he nov
lives. Even in time OF peace his martial
spirit showed itself in drilling a company
Of zouaves. This company formed the
nucleus of the regiment with which he
entered the late war. He so distinguished
himself in the West, and especially at the
battle of Shiloh, that he was made Major
General. He was the first Union General
to enter Fort Donelson. In 1873 he was
appointed Governor of New Mexico. While
in this official capacity he began work
uDon his imperishable novel, "Ben Hur.n
he was Minister to Turkey, and so in
spired the confidence of the Sultan during
that time that he became that ruIer's pri-
vate counsellor. He is at present engaged
in literary pursuits.
Mr.. S. B. Voyles is native OF Salem, Ind.
He enlisted in the Eighteenth Indiana Vol
unteer Infantry and experienced a service
of three years and one month. He partic-
ipated in the battle Of Vicksburg. Daring
so long a period in which he was engaged
he never received a wound or was off duty.
He remained private from choice till the
war was almost over, when he was pre-
vailed upon to accept.a sergeantcy. He
was delegate to the National Democratic
convention at st. Louis in 1876 He is
now engaged in the practices of law at
Salem.
Mr. Daniel NJ. Ransdell has always lived
in this county. While a junior in franklin
College, at Franklin, this State, he answered
the call for troops and. enlisted in the Seven
tieth Indiana Volunteers, General Ben
iamin Harrison commanding. His military
career was ended at Resaca Ga where the
Seventieth Indiana led that gallant charge
IN the face OF a storm of musketry and shell.
In the terrible onset q bullet pierced his
wrist, almost severing his hand from the
arm. Amputation became necessary. In
1866 he was deputy Recorder of Marion
County, The following yesr he was elected
City Clerk, and in 1878 he became Clerk of
Marion County, receiving majority of
2 600 votes 1000 greater than the average
Republican majority.
Mr.. George J. Longsdale has been a
journalist nearly all his life. When the
war of the rebellion began he was among
the first in the field. He was engaged in
active service near home for time.
When news OF the firing upon Sumter
reached indianapolis he went to the war,
and during the time he served he won a
reputation for bravery and heroic conduct.
He is the. editor of the Greencastle Banner.
Mr.. Hugh Dougherty is a man of forty
three years OF age. BE is native of Ohio,
but came to this State before the war and
enlisted in an Indiana regiment. He was
under Buell. at the battle of Perryville,
where he was in the thickest Of the fight.
In this struggle he lost all his baggage. He
was left without tent or any covering
from the cold and rain. He contracted a
severe cold in consequence and was con-
fined to his bed. Although in very poor
health, he remained with the army
until the battle of Stone River,
where he was taken prisoner.
He was soon afterward paroled, and his
failing health compelled his return home.
Shortly after his return his brothers death
occurred, caused by the suffering following
the battle OF Perryville. After Mr.. Dough-
erty recovered sufficient health he again
offered his services to his country, but he
was rejected beceuse of his physical condi-
tion. He soon afterward accepted posi-
tion as cashier OF the Exchange Bank, of
Blufton, where he has resided since. Mr..
Dougherty IS a man of clear Judgment,
sound business qualifications, and COM
mands the respect of everybody who
knows him, irrespective of party.